Anambra Poll: INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials, Mobilised 55,000 Policemen

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday began distributing sensitive and non-sensitive materials to all 21 local government areas ahead of Saturday’s November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.

The exercise took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria office in Awka, supervised by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Awgu, amid heavy deployment of security personnel.

Party agents were also on ground to observe the process.

Awgu explained that three key materials, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B, were loaded into vehicles for onward transportation to the Registration Area Centres across the state.

She said the dispatch was meant to ensure that the election commenced on schedule.

“The idea is to ensure that the election starts as scheduled; that is the only way the process can go on without delay,” she said.

“People should come out and vote; participate in this election process. Do not stay at home thinking that your vote will not count, and do not assume that your candidate has already won.”

Awgu added that the commission had made comprehensive preparations in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations, to ensure that the election would be free, fair, transparent, and credible.

“Party agents and security operatives jointly supervised the distribution of sensitive materials to ensure transparency. We have been at the CBN since 9 am, and everything has gone smoothly without any challenges or complaint.

This shows our readiness and commitment to delivering a credible election,” she said.

Police deploy 55,000 officers

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Anambra State, CP Abayomi Shogunle, disclosed that the number of security personnel deployed for the poll had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 officers.

He said the deployment included personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, DSS, NDLEA, and other sister agencies, with at least three security operatives assigned to each polling unit.

“The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and protection of voters and electoral officials,” Shogunle said.